| The BBI had previously visited Burton on Trent when Bass Brewing installed their first can line. This was some time ago and the brewery had since been sold to Coors Brewers Ltd resulting in a number of changes. This prompted a good reason for the BBI members to get up to date with the most recent developments.
A visit was arranged, hosted by Mr Peter Orgill, Packaging Manager, and Peter gave a presentation to 26 BBI members, explaining in detail the acquisition when Bass was sold to Interbrew and then sold again to Coors Brewers Ltd.
Due to the monopolies commission the previous brewery of Worthington was also purchased together with the site of the old Ind Coope brewery also part of Interbrew.
This led to the closure of Bass Brewery at Cape Hill, Birmingham, and the relocation of the bottling and canning lines from that site. This redevelopment was destined to take up a large land area, all in the centre of Burton on Trent.
Coors then had the major task to integrate all the production and administration. There followed a £30M project, which had to be planned and executed in such a way that existing production had to continue. This work was carried out over a number of phases. Peter Orgill was part of the team who also employed Lorien Engineering to manage the project.
There are now 3 Canning lines each operating at 2000 cpm. on the south site and 2 bottling lines on the north site. There are also 2 Kegging lines installed.
BBI members were taken on a tour of the lines and they certainly covered a considerable distance. All the lines were fully operational and the overall operation was most impressive.
After a most interesting tour of the plant, time was set aside for a questions & answers session followed by a splendid buffet lunch.
The visit was rounded off by Cedric Pettitt, BBI Midland Area Co-ordinator, who gave a vote of thanks to Peter Orgill and his team for their time and hospitality in hosting the visit.
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